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Changes urged as population drops

The population drop in Summerland from 2009 to 2010 should serve as a wake-up call for the community, the head of the chamber says.

Roger Gillespie, president of the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism, said the chamber and municipal council are working to promote Summerland as a business-friendly community.

“Our chamber and current council have been working hard on changing perception of Summerland not being a welcoming place for business and I believe this needs to remain a strong focus,” he said.

“With an aging population and challenging economic times we will all need to focus on bringing in new opportunities for new business and new families.”

From 2009 to 2010, Summerland’s population fell to 11,007, a drop of 251 people or a 2.2 per cent population decline.

The population reduction was greater than in any other B.C. community, although the percentage of population loss was higher in communities such as Oliver, Grand Forks, Merritt and Mackenzie.

British Columbia’s population grew during the same period, but in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, a decline of 0.9 per cent was recorded.

Gillespie linked the declining population in Summerland with the loss of recent major employers.

Katana, a boat manufacturer, the PRT tree nursery, the fruit packing house and Kettle Valley Dried Fruits have all departed.

He said Katana, as a luxury producer, will be affected by the global recession because luxury items will take a lower priority during hard times.

The other business losses, most notably the fruit drying operation, are much more serious, he said.

“It is unfortunate that when we had a chance to hold onto the Kettle Valley Dried Fruit Company previous council did not see the impending departure as a priority, it should have been,” he said.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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